Electric lamp



G. lW. GOODRDGE ELECTRIC LAMP 2 Sheets-Sheer?l 1 INVENTOR G/LeE/v'r NGovan/DGE Filed July 22 ATTORNEYS oct. 2e, 1926. 1,604,907

G. W. GOODRIDGE ELECTRIC LAMP Filed July 22, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2lNvENToR G/LBETM- Govan/DGE MLM ATTORNEYS fil stalled in factories,hotels. trains, etc.

Patented Oct. 26, 1926.

, GILBERT W. GOODBIDGE, OF FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICT.

ELECTRIC LAMP.

Application filed July 22, 1924. Serial No 727,531.

My invention relates to electric lamps, and'particularly to the base ofthe lamp. The object of my invention is to provide a lamp base withself-contained means which, upon the removal of the lamp from a standardsocket, operates to disable the lamp and render it unfit for furtherservice.

My invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, only some ofwhich are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is abroken section through a standard lamp socket into whichis inserted alfamp base embodying my invention in one orm;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2 2, Fi 1; Fig. 3 is a dropped sectionof the ase andV bulb illustrating the assemblyY of the parts; v

l Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4 4, Fig). 3; ase

Fig. 5 is a side elevation ofthe lamp detached;

Fig. 6 is a perspective of the lever blank detached Fig. 7 is a brokenelevation of a lamp baseV in which my invention is embodied in modifiedform;

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8 8, Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a perspective of the modified lever used in the constructionshown in Fig.7; Y Y y Fig. 10 isla dropped perspective of the insulatingwashers used in bothof the constructions above referred to; l

Fig. 11 is a broken section through a lamp base in which my invention isembodied in another modified form, the subigures A andB bein brokenelevations of' opposite sides of the ase; and

Fig. 12 is a section on the line 12A- 12,`

. arious devices and attachments have been proposed for preventing theftof lamps Finor the most part these devices have involved special socketconstructions, and are not available for use in standard sockets. It hasalso been proposed to provide the lamp base with a swivelling shellcontact which prevents removal of the lamp without breakage of the bulb,but devices of this character have not proved consistently theft-proofand may be easily removed in most instances. AOther constructions havebeen proposed which require a longitudinal displacement of the bulb withrespect-to the shell contact of the base in order 'to secure itsremoval; incidentally the lead wire connection to the filament isruptured, thus` tact, with the object in both instances, of

wrenching ofi' the center contact and destroying the utility of the lampin the act of removal from the socket. Thls type of construction is badVelectrically as it leaves metal elements in the socket, and these mustbe removed before another lamp Ican be 'inserted. Not only is dan er ofshort circuit of the socket introduce but also danger of shock to theattendant who attempts to get the metal parts out of the socket.

My invention provides means self-contained in the lamp base, whichoperate automatically, on the unscrewing of the lamp, to render the lampunfit for further use. These means are removed with the lamp and leavethe socket clean and ready for the reception of another lamp. The lampscontaining my invention are not materially increase in cost. Theoperation of the device is certain and involves no danger to theattendant.

Referring to the embodiment of my invention in Figs. 1 to 6, I haveshown a standard lamp socket vhaving an yinsulating body 15 on which aremounted a center con. tact 16 and screw' shell 17 housed within theusual casing 18 and insulatinglining 19. The lamp comprises theVstandard -bulb 2O within which is the lamp filament 21 supported on theglass cane 22 fused to the hollow stem 23. Also fused to the head ofthestem is the exhaust tube 24 'which extends beyond the open end of thestem 23 and, after evacuation of the bulb, is sealed by fusion, at thenib 25. The lead wire 26 sealed in the head of the stem 23, passes ontbetween the stem and tubeV and is carried to the screw shell contact 27of the lamp base,

'to which it is soldered. The other lead wire 28, also sealed in thehead of the stem 23, passes out between the .stem and tube to the centercontact 29 ofthe lamp base to able construction.

which it is also solde-red. The center and shell contacts are rigidlyunited by a button 30 of insulating material, such as glass. The bulb isseated vagainst the open end of the screw shell 27 and secured inposition by cement 31.l These features are standard in modern lampconstruction.

The mechanism which operates to destroy i the utility of the lamp on itsremoval is arranged within the chamber afforded within the screw shellcontact 27 and between-the button 30 and the base of the stem 23 of thebulb 20. To keep this chamber open, to limit the quantity of cementused, and to preventthe cement from coming into contact with theoperating parts, I provide a circular washer 32 of paper, fiber or thelike, which is forced into the open end of the screw shell toapproximately the plane of the base of the stem element 23 of the bulbwhen the latter is seated against'the screw shell. Vhile the base ofthestem may not .actually seat againstk the washer, it approachessufficiently close to confine the cement in the area between the marginof the screw shell. the washer and the base of the stem, ample cementbeing present to effect a rigid connection While at the same time thechamber beyond the washer is maintained clean and free. Space for therupturing mechanism hereinafter described is thus afforded.

Within the chamber beyond the washer 32, I provide rupturing mechanismof any suit- A practical device for this purpose comprises a lever 33(Fig. 2) anchored at one end to the nib end of the eX- haust tube 24 andslightly projecting at its opposite end through a circumferential slot34 formed in the screw shell 27. Any suitable engagementwith the tube 24may be effected. I have shown the anchorage end 35 of the lever providedwith an opening X of considerably greater diameter than that of the tube24, and thus accommodating the lei ver end to the nib end 25 of the tubewith considerable latitude to take care of variac tions incident tomanufacture. A gob 36 of 39 of the cement rigidly unites the tube andlever,

lwhile this cement is prevented from 'uniting the parts to the base ofthe stem 23 by a washer 37 of paper, or the like, which is sli ped overthe nib end of the tube 24.

he projecting outer end of the lever is bevelled to a point 38, Athebevelled margin oint being the leading edge of the lever W en the lampbase is screwed into the socket shell 17. In the following edge of thelever, slightly inward from its point, is formed a notch 4() whichengages the screw shell 27, and by which the lever is held againstinward displacement while the lamp is being screwed into the socket.Preferably the shell is offset inward in the area of the circumferentialslot 34. This permits the location of the notch 40 a sufficient distanceinward from the pointed end 38 ofthe lever 33 to insure ample mechanicalstrength in the pointed end of the lever-an effect not sol readilyattained if the notch 40 is located closer to the point. Instead ofindenting the shell throughout the length ofthe slot the same resu-ltcould be secured by offsetting in- `ward a supporting tongue at thefollowing end of the v slot which would engage the notch 4(). Such aconstruction, however, does not afford as great strength as that shown,and it will be realized that ample support is lnecessary in order toprevent the inward displacement of the lever during the insertion ofthelamp base in the socket, and

to prevent rupturing ,strain on'the tube 24.

I have described the lever in the form which it assumes in thecommercial lamp. During the course of manufacture it is preferably. inthe form of the blank shown-,in Figz, and comprises'two legs 41 and 42prochorage 35, The leg 41 is weakened at 43 to afford a point ofbreakage fwithin the chamber. The leg r42 is .weakened at 44 for thesame purpose, and for the further pur-` pose of forming, with the -lever33, a4 sprin fork. It will be -noted that the screw she 27 of the baseis provided, opposite the slot 34, with an aperture 45. To assemble thelever in proper position with respect to the shell during the course ofmanufacture 0fthe base, it is only necessary to pass it inward throughthe slot (the leg41 leading) until the legy 41 projects through theaper- ,jecting 1n opposite directions from the ansuch that the overallvWidth of the forkadl jacent its outer end, slightl exceeds the lengthof the lchord of the s ot 34. Conseuently a slight effort is necessaryto ush t ie lever homethat is. until the note 40 engages the edge of theshell at the following en 11o of the slot 34. The spring ofthe leg 42permits this, and also serves to'snap and old the lever notch 40in'engagement with the edge of the `shell (Fig. 4). The lever blank maybe permitted' to remain in this condition (Figs. 3 and 4) untiltheremaining assembly operations are all completed,' whereupon thepro'ecting end of the leg 41 may be readilyl ro en off by a slighttwisting motion while the leg 42 may be broken ofi' b bending it (seedotted line Fig. 4) towar the lever 33, thus leavingl the latter in thefinished article in the form shown in Fig. 2.

The operation of the device will bc readily l ment With the lamp base.The lever is therefore held stationary while the base turns (the arcuateslot 34 accommodating the lever during this period) with theresult thatthe exhaust tube 24 is broken and the lamp is thus disabled. In thiscondition the filament 21 at yonce burns out when current is againapplied. A`s soon as the tube breaks, the support for the inner end ofthe lever 33 is removed, and the lever is displaced inward by the socketshell into the chamber of the lamp base, thus permitting the latter tobe freely unscrewed from the socket, carrying the broken parts with it.The socket is thus cleared and is in condition to receive a fresh lamp.

It will of course be understood that the invention is equally applicableto gas-filled lamps, which in the course of manufacture are firstevacuated through the exhaust tube 24 vand then filled with an inert gasbefore the nib 25 is sealed ofi". Uponbreakage of the tube by the(present device, the escape of lthe gas from an the entrance of air intothe bulb render the latter unfit for further use, just as effectively asthe destruction of the vacuum of a vacuum lamp.

In both cases the bulb remains intact, since rupture of the tube 25 doesnot affect the bulb. Consequently the vlamp may be unscrewed from thesocket by gras `ing the bulb andsuch dangers as are inci ent to aremoval of the base from the socket after the bulb is broken, areentirely eliminated. It

is again pointed out that'after it has performed its function, therupturing lever moves to position Within the base and is thus withdrawnwith the latter as the lamp is unscrewed.

The same result can be accomplished in other ways-for example as shownin Figs. 7, 8 and 9. Here the lever 46 is extended across the chamber ofthe base and is pro' vided at one end with 'a bevelled point 47 whichrojects through the circumferential slot 48 m the shell 27, while itsopposite end is provided with bosses 49 which are loosely accommodatedin holes 50 in lugs 51 struck inward from the opposite sideof the shell.The intermediate portion 52 of the lever is enlarged and piercedtoaccommodate a close fitting ring washer 53 of insulating material,through which the nib end of the exhaust tube 24 passes. In assembledposition-the projecting' end of the lever lies at the following endofthe slot 48, while it is supported at its opposite end againstdisplacement, by one of the lugs 49, The lamp base may therefore bescrewed home in the socket `Without danger of injury to the exhausttube. Then the lamp is reversely rotated, however, the lever point 47digs intothe socket shell, and the lever swings through the slot 48,thus rupturing the exhaust tube 24.

Upon further unscrewing of the-lamp base in the socket, the bevelledfaceof the lever point is engaged by the opposite end of the slot 48 andcammed inwardsuiiiciently to withdraw its point from detainingengagement with the screw shell and permitting the lamp to be freelyunscrewed from the socket.

It will be obvious that if desired an insulating bushing such as 53 maybe inserted in theanchorage aperture X of the lever 33 first described,to prevent any possible contact between the metal of the lever yand thecenter contact lead 28. In most cases, however, the gob of cement 36suffices-for this purpose, particularly if the lead be given a turnaround the nib 25 as shown.

Instead of disabling the lamp by rupturing the exhaust tube, the levermay be used to rupture one of the filament lead wires, for example, asshown in Figs. 11 and 12. In this modification, a rigid bridge member 54is mounted in the lam base and provided with, a'central steel bus ing 55insulated by a ring washer 56.- lA juxtaposed swinging lever 57 issimilarly rovided with a steel bushing 58 insulated y a ring washer 59.When the bushings 55 and 58 are in register they afford a closelyfitting passage for the lead wire 28, andin this position the projectingpointed end 60 of the lever lies at the following end of thecircumferential slot (il in the base shell. When the lamp is turned intothe socket, no displacement of the lever 57 with respect to the bridge54 occurs. On reverse rotation, however, the bridge 54 turns with theshell, while the lever 57` is held stationary, and the lea-d Wire 28 issheared a9 the bushings 55 and 58 move out of register, thus renderingthe lamp unfit for further duty. Further outward rotation of the basecams the lever inward, as above described, and permits the lamp to befreely removed from the socket.

The bridge 5.4 and lever 57 maybe mounted in the base in any suitablefashion. For example, at one end both may be notched to straddle ashouldered web 62 inwardly offset from the shell. `At an opposite pointthe shell is provided with a shouldered tongue 63 which the end'of thebridge straddles, while the projecting,lr end ofthe lever rests on thetongue and swings through the adjacent slot 64. Various other ways ofaccomplishing the result will readily occur 'to those dealing with theconstruction. It is obvious furthermore, that the projecting ends of thethrough which they swing, in order to afford additional support againstinward displacement incident to end pressure thereon y the screw shellofthe socket while the lamp base is being inserted. Inasmuch as theleverin each case is supported at its opposite end by the shell contactof the lamp A base, this notch is not so necessary as in the pinvention.

I claimv l l. An electric lamp having 'a-bulb, a base rigidly joinedthereto and' comprising only a single screw shell, a lamp elementprojecting into the base below7 the joint between the bulb and base, andmeans arranged within said base and operative, on relative angulardisplacement withl respect to the base, to -disorganize said lampelement within the base and thus disable the lamp;

Q 'An electric lamp having a bulb, a basev rigidly joinedfthereto andcomprising only a single screw shell, a lamp element projecting into thebase below the joint between the bulb and base, and means arrangedwithin said base, but projecting therefrom for external actuatingengagement, and operative on relative angular displacement with respectto the base, to disorganize said lamp element within the base and thusdisable the lamp. v

3. An electric lamp having a screw shell base for engagement with thescrew shell of a cooperating socket, a bulb having a rigid joint withsaid base and a lamp element extending below said joint into the base,in combination' with means carried within said lamp base screw shell toengage the socket shell and servingto automatically disorganize saidlamp element within the base and thus disable the lamp during itsreverse rotation for withdrawal from the socket..

4. An electric lamp having a screw shell base for engagement with thescrew shell of a cooperating socket, a bulb rigid with said base and anelement extending from the bulb into the base beyond said joint, incombination with means mounted within said lamp base screw shell andprojecting therefrom to engage a socket element andserving through itsengagement with said socket element to disorganize said lamp elementwithin the base and thus disable the lamp during the reverse rotation ofthe latter for withdrawal from the socket.

5. An electric lamp having a screw shell base for engagement with thescrew sheii of a cooperating socket, a bulb rigid with said base and alamp element extending therefrom into the base beyond said joint, in combination with means mounted within said lamp base screw shell andprojecting therefrom-to engage the socket screw shell, and

serving through its engagement with said socket element to disorganizesaid lamp element within the base and thus disable the lamp during thereverse rotation of the latter for withdrawal from the socket.

6. An electric lamp having a bulb and a base rigid therewith andatfordinggi chamber beyond the joint between the bulb and base, incombination with llamp-disabling lneans comprising a displaceable memberarranged transversely within said chamber but projecting therefrom foroperative detaining engagement with a lamp holder of standardconstruction. j Y

7. 'An electric lamp having a screw shell base-with peripheral slot., amember mounted within-said base and projecting through said slot fordetaining engagement with an element of a socket of standardconstruction, and a lamp element lextending into said baseanddisorganized by said member incident to its angular displacement insaid slot during the withdrawal of the lamp from the socket, whereby thelamp is disabled. 8..An electric lamp having a screw shell base withperipheral slot, a member mounted within said base and projectingthrough said slot for detaining engagement with a socket element, saidmember being held against displacement during the insertion ot' thelampbase into the socket, and means associated'with said member forrendering the lamp inoperative incident to the angular displacement ofsaid member in the slot during the withdrawal of the lamp from thesocket.

9. An electric lamp having a screw shell base with peripheral slot, amember mounted within said base and projecting through said slot fordetaining engagement with a socket element, said member being located atthe following end of the slot during the Ainsertion of the lamp baseinto the socket,

and means associated with said member for rendering the lampinoperativeincidcnt to the angular displacement-oi said member in theslot during the withdrawal of the lamp from the socket.

10. An electric lamp having a chambered base, a swinging lever mountedwithin the chamber of the base but projecting therefrom for engagementwith a socket element on the insertion ot' the lamp base in a holder`and means operated by the displacement of the lever during thewithdrawal of the lamp l from its holder to disable the lamp.

ll. An electric lamp having a chambered base, a swinging lever mountedwithin the chamber ot' the base but projecting from the base forengagement with a socket element on the insertion of the lamp in aholder,

means. preventing displacement of the lever during the insertion of thelamp in the holder but freeing said lever for movement onwithdrawal ofthe lamp from the holder, and means operated by the displacement of thelever during .the withdrawal of the lamp to disable the lamp.

12. An electric lamp having a screw shell base, a lever mounted withinthe base but projecting therefrom at one end, said projecting end beingshaped to aord a one-way engagement with a socket element, together withmeans withinthe base operated on by` the lever, on its detentionincident to the reverse rotation of the lamp to remove the latter fromthe socket, to disablethe lamp.

13. An electric lamp having abase, a bulb peripherally jointed above andto the `base, a portion of the bulb located axially inward of said jointand projecting into the base, and means operative within the base forrupturing said portion of the bulb to'establish within the bulblamp-disabling conditions.

14. An electric lamp having a base, a bulb cemented thereto, a sealedelement serving on rupture to open a passage communicating with theinterior of the bulb and projecting from the inner end thereof into thelamp base, and means carried by and displaceable with respect to thebase for rupturing said element. A

l5. An electric lamp having -a bulb, a base for securing the same in alamp holder, a sealed element serving on rupture to open a passagecommunicating with the interior of the bulb and projecting from theinner end thereof into the lamp base, and displaceable meansautomatically operative upon removal of the lamp from its holder, torupture said` element.

16. An electric lamp having a bulb, a hollow base, normally closed meanswithin the.

chamber of the base communicating with the interior of the bulb, andmeans associated with the base to open said normally closed' means toestablish lamp-disabling gaseous conditions within the bulb. 1 17. Anelect-ric lamp having arbulb, a single screw shell side contact rigidlysecured to the bulb for rotation therewith in both directions, saidscrew shell being adapted to enter and directly engage a lamp holder ofstandard construction, and displaceable means mounted within the lampbase but projecting therefrom to operatively engage a standard element`of the lamp holder, together with a lamp element arranged within thelamp base and disorganized by the movement of said displaceable means todisable the lamp during the rotation of the latter for withdrawal fromthe lamp holder.

18. An electric lamp having a bulb, a base secured thereto anda apted toentera lamp holder of standard construction, displaceable means arrangedwithin the lampn base and adapted`v to operatively engagea standard.element of the lamp holder on withdrawal of the lamp, together with alamp element within the base ruptured by the movement of saiddisplaceable means to disablethe lamp.

19. An electric lamp having a bulb, a base secured thereto and adaptedto enter a lamp holder of standard construction, displaceable meansarranged within the lamp base and adapted to operatively engage aVstandard element of the lamp holder on withdrawal of the lamp, togetherwith an element entering the lamp base from the bulb proper anddisplaced by said displaceable means, on operation of the latter, by thewithdrawal movement of the base. from the holder,. to

vadmit a lamp-disabling gas to the interior 21. An electric lamp havin abulb, a base adapted to enter a lam hol er of standard construction,displacea le lamp-disabling means arranged within the base but adaptedfor detaining engagement with an element of the lamp holder onwithdrawal movement of the lamp therefrom, said isabling means movinginto the base af r functioning, whereby the lamp and disabling means maybe freely and simultaneously withdrawn from the lamp holder.

22. An electric lamp having a bulb, a base secured thereto and adaptedto enter a lamp holder, displaceable means associated lwith, the base toengage an element of the lamp holder, and means operated by saidmovement of said displaceable means to admit lamp-disabling gas to theinterior ofthe bulb without injury to the .joint between the bulb andbase whereby the lamp may be withdrawn from the holder by grasping'thebulb.

23. An electric lamp having a bulb, a base adapted to enter a lampholder, displaceable means associated with the base to engage an elementof the lamp holder, and means operated by said movement of saiddisplacement means to admit lamp-disab1ing gas to the interior of thebulb without injury to the latter, said displaceable means movin intothe lamp base on functioning, to permit the free withdrawal of the baseand disablin means from the lamp holder by grasping lt e bulb. 24. Anelectric lamp having a base, a bulb leo 'shaped for detaining engagementwith a 1am holder on the Withdrawal movement of tiie lamp.

26. An electric lamp having a base, a bulb having an exhaust tubeextending into the base, and means associated with the base forrupturing said exhaust tube, said means comprising a movable leverarranged Within the base but projecting therefrom and shaped fordetaining engagement with a lamp holder on the Withdrawal movement ofthe lamp, together with means preventing operation of said lever duringthe linsertion of the lamp base into its holder.

27. An electric lamp havin a bulb, a base rigid therewith, andlamp-disabling means arranged within the base, but projecting therefromfor operative detaining en agement with an element of an associated ampholder of standard construction, said lampdisabling means beingautomatically freed from detaining engagement with the holder afterdisabling the lamp so that thev latter and the lamp-detainingl means maybe freely and simultaneously withdrawn from the holder.

28. As an assembly unit fora lamp base,`a

lever adapted to be positioned transverselyv within the base and havinga pluralit of supporting arms adapted to engage the ase durin assembly oeration, `certain of said arms eing shape for rupture within .the baseafter assembly is completed.

29. An electric lamp havmgfa base, a bulb having an exhaust1 tubeentering the base, and a displaceable tube-rupturing lever projectingfrom the lam base and having a oneway engagement Wit an element ofastandard lamp holder'.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

GILBERT W. GooDRIDGE.

